Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-23
A QUEER ELoPEaaENT.
How q Girl Welded tho Man Her
Father Chose.

l
young fellows with glossy mustaches, q
admiration which gave her father som
uneasiness, for he was anxious to have hi
daughter comfortably married and occu
pying q respectable position in society
Mr.. North loved Katie and could not com
mand, while wise counsel as to gool
matches, with illusions TO certain middle
aged and ''solid" men. was thrown away
on her. She could not understand and wal
| obstinate. She continued to throw hel
smiles away upon handsome young mer
suitors introduced by her father. In this
dilemma pater familias determined to re
sort to strategy.
The son of an old friend had lately re-
turned from Europe. He was wealthy, in
telligent, MISUNDERSTANDING and of pol
ished maHners, and Mr.. North set his heart
upon having him for a son-in-law. He
knew that Katie could have but two OBJ.
jections to this lover: he was over thirty
and wealthy.
To remove one OF those objections, Mr..
North resolved that Arthur Langdon
should play the part of a "poor young
man." while he himself would enact the
purse-preud. indignant parent. It was al
IuOeU CerGdIu, al euCu Cdet, tudU hdtIe
would fall desperately in love with her
advanced age. Mr.. Langdon, therefore,
was invited to tho house and prevailed
upon, as a joke. to appear before Katie as
one OF her fathers clerks.
At dinner time that day Mr.. North in
formed Katie that one OF his clerks would
call on him in the evening in relation to
business. and that he preferred she would
absent herself from the parlor on that oc-
casion.
That evening Mr.. Lanedon came. Katie
saw him as he assembled the steps and was
pleased with his appearance and deter
mined to see more OF him. He was ush.
cred into the parlor and was soon engaged
with his host in a pleasant conversation,
when the door suddenly opened and the
dutiful daughter entered as if unconscious
of the presence of a stranger. When she
saw Mr.. Langdon she started as though
she would retreat, but her father called her
in and introduced her in stiff, ungracious
manner to bis guest.
my daughter, Mr.. Langdon." and then
sat dow as if annoyed at the interrup
tion.
Arthur was as agreeable as he knew how
to be, and Katie was charmed with him,
as she had determined to be. All went
merry as marriage bell until Mr.. North.
thinking matters had gone quite far enough
Tor favorable first impression, hemmed,
hawed, consulted his watch, and finally re-
marked
Mr. Langdon and I have much to say
to each other. Katie, have you ordered
Langdon looked sad. Katie pouted, but
,he took the hint and withdrew. The fas-
:inatipg clerk held the door for her. and as
,e bade her good evening he gave her a
ook which haunted her dreams.
Katie was 81 sitten. Sid Langdon was no
ess 80. The old gentleman's talk about>l
business seemed very insipid. and Arthur
'oon took his leave. His calls were fire.
luent after that. and while Katie won
Tered why her father should tolerate his
presence, she became more and more en-
;angled in the silken meshes OF love. Lang |
Ion finally declared the state OF his feeling |
% Mr.. North and requested him to become |
lis father-in-law. His suit was gladly &C.
epted, but he was told that his success de. |
pended upon his maintaining the character |
II remarkable genius in romantic pow
rty.
He accepted the situation and went many
lines to see Katie when her father was out. !
They soon plighted uudying faith to each |
,ther. Langdon painted the picture OF
pretty cottage, where love should be the |
household deity, in .colors as bright as
claude Melnotte employed to decorate his
astle by the Lake of Como, and Katie |
,owed to we'd with him and with no other, |
With or without parental consent and
blessing.
But how was the matter to be broached
% the stern father Arthur shrank from
The insulting answer to be anticipated, and
Katie, while she feared, clung still closer to
Ter adored one. Their anxiety on this
,ojnt was destined to be relieved in q very
manner. One evening, as they
we're sitting in rather close proximity in
;he parlor, the door suddenly opened, and
t stalked the cruel parent with most
urious mien.
"What means this?' he cried: frowning
|avagely.
1T means that I love-
"Fiddlesticks!"
'No, sir; your daughter"
'Really, Mr.. Langdon, you are modest; l
lad not expected this honor. The high al
lance you proffer is duly appreciated; but
allow me to bid you goodnight"
my poverty is q crime in your eyes. but |
1our daughter has nobler vis!on;" said |
Arthur, striking dramatic attitude. II
understand you; sir. and will take my de- |
,arture." So saying, be seized Katie's |
land for a moment and darted from the /
,ouse. Katie was sent crying to bed and !
more deeply in love than ever with her be- |
owed Arthur.
The next day she received note through |
! confidential channel appointing an inter- |
REV. Loving, but disobedient, Miss Katie |
net him as desired, and they had many |
'imilar interviews afterward. until at last |